In today’s world, we are often surrounded by screens and characters on them that catch our attention.

But have you ever stopped to wonder what these characters reveal about the minds of our neighbors? This study aims to delve into the impact of screen characters on our perception of others.

The Impact of Screen Characters

Screen characters have a significant impact on our perceptions of others. When we watch TV shows or movies, we often get so absorbed in the characters that we begin to feel as though we know them.

This feeling is called a “parasocial relationship,” which is a relationship we feel with a character who is not physically present.

Parasocial relationships can make us feel closer to characters and can even make us feel as though we know them better than the people in our real lives.

This is because we get to see the characters’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors over an extended period of time, which helps us to form an intimate connection with them.

However, the impact of screen characters goes beyond just our personal relationships with them. The way they are portrayed on screen can also shape our perceptions of entire groups of people.

For example, characters who belong to certain racial or ethnic groups may be portrayed in a stereotypical way, which can reinforce negative attitudes towards those groups.

Stereotyping on Screen

Stereotyping on screen is a pervasive issue that has been around for decades. Characters belonging to certain groups, such as African Americans, Latinos, and LGBTQ+ people, are often portrayed in a negative light.

These portrayals can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and impact how viewers perceive those groups.

For example, LGBTQ+ characters are often portrayed as promiscuous or as the “token gay friend” in a group of straight characters.

These portrayals can reinforce the idea that LGBTQ+ people are only valuable when they are providing entertainment or sex appeal.

Stereotypes can also be harmful when they are perpetuated about a group’s culture or traditions.

For example, Native American characters are often portrayed as mystical or as not fitting into modern society, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about their culture.

The Importance of Positive Representation

While negative stereotypes are harmful, positive representation on screen can have a significant impact on how people perceive various groups.

Positive representation can help to counteract negative stereotypes and increase empathy and understanding towards marginalized groups.

For example, shows like “Pose” and “Orange is the New Black” have helped to increase awareness and understanding of the experiences of LGBTQ+ people and women in the criminal justice system, respectively.

Positive representation can also help to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces and communities.

The Future of Screen Characters

As society becomes increasingly diverse and aware of the importance of positive representation, it is likely that we will see a shift in the way screen characters are portrayed.

Many TV shows and movies are already featuring more diverse casts and storylines that focus on underrepresented groups.

It is important for media creators to recognize the power that screen characters have to shape our perceptions of others.

By creating diverse and complex characters that reflect the myriad of experiences in our world, we can all benefit from a greater understanding and appreciation of our neighbors and their unique perspectives.